Former diplomat Richard Holbrooke ‘a true giant’, says Obama

Barack Obama has led the tributes to Richard Holbrooke, the US diplomat responsible for bringing about peace in war-torn Bosnia, who has died.

Richard Holbrooke, former US special envoy for the Pakistan-Afghanistan talks, has died (EPA)

The US president described his special envoy to Pakistan and Afghanistan as ‘a true giant of American foreign policy’.

He added: ‘He was a unique figure who will be remembered for his tireless diplomacy, love of country and pursuit of peace.’

Mr Holbrooke, who served under every Democratic president from John F Kennedy to Mr Obama, was the architect of the 1995 Bosnia peace plan, brokering the Dayton Peace Accords.

The 69-year-old died in hospital in Washington on Monday following emergency surgery for a torn aorta.

Before being taken into surgery, the diplomat apparently told his surgeon – from Pakistan: ‘You’ve got to stop this war in Afghanistan.’

Tony Blair said: ‘He was a remarkable man, a remarkable public servant and someone who contributed enormously to the cause of a more peaceful and just world.’

David Cameron said he was deeply saddened by the death of Mr Holbrooke, who earned the nicknames ‘Bulldozer’ and ‘Raging Bull’ for his abrasive negotiating style.

The prime minister said: ‘He was a formidable force of American diplomacy – an indefatigable champion in the cause of peace.’

Mr Holbrooke joined the US foreign service in 1962 and was involved in the Vietnam War peace negotiations. He also served as US ambassador to the United Nations from 1999 to 2001 and was once a managing director of Lehman Brothers.

He was married three times and is survived by two sons from his first marriage.